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To the naked eye, the ancient site of Aguada Fénix is invisible among the rural ranches of Tabasco.
sculptures

Found: The Oldest and Largest Maya Structure in Mexico

If it weren't for aerial surveys and lidar imaging, Aguada Fénix might never have claimed the superlative crown.
Isaac Schultz June 12, 2020
Al Wahat Al Dakhla Desert, Egypt

Cave of Swimmers

A hyper-remote desert cave dramatized in "The English Patient."
Crossing the bridge of Sant'Andrea
Itri, Italy

Appia Antica in Itri

This stretch of the ancient Roman road is preserved in a valley that witnessed many battles and legendary highwaymen.
Mexico

Huápoca

These cliff-dwellings might be Mexico's least visited archaeological site.
The Colosseum seen from the Ludus Magnus.
Rome, Italy

Ludus Magnus

The ruins of the largest gladiatorial school in Rome are largely hidden under modern streets.
Cathedral City, California

Museum of Ancient Wonders

Nestled in Coachella Valley, this museum transports guests from the Mesozoic Era, to the land of Egyptian kings.
A hoard of gold coins from Epidaurus, 3rd century BCE.
Athens, Greece

Numismatic Museum of Athens

One of the greatest collections of coins in the world is housed in the former mansion of an archeological pioneer.
The paintings
Jääkäri, Finland

Astuvansalmi Rock Paintings

These 5,000-year-old cave paintings provide a glimpse into prehistoric Finnish life.
Zenigata Sunae, the curious sand art of Kan-onji.
Kanonji, Japan

Zenigata Sunae

This massive, Edo Period, coin-shaped sand painting is believed to be a source of great luck.
Site from above 1
Athens, Greece

Proteichisma on Erysichthonos Street

The ruins of this ancient fortification wall sit in the middle of a quiet, residential intersection.
Polé (Xcaret Archaeological Site)
Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Polé (Xcaret Archaeological Site)

One of Mexico's least-visited archaeological sites is tucked away inside a theme park.
The Porta Saracena
Segni, Italy

Porta Saracena

The hilltop town of Segni was once home to an ancient Roman colony and garrison.
The Temple of Artemis at Sardis.
Salihli, Turkey

Sardis

These ruins once flourished as the capital of the Lydian kingdom, often credited with the invention of metal coinage.
Carthage, Tunisia

Byrsa Hill

An ancient Phoenician citadel once stood at the site where Queen Dido first landed, according to legend.
The Cairo Citadel, 2007.
Cairo, Egypt

Citadel of Saladin

The medieval center of the Islamic world was also once the seat of Saladin's sultanate.
The cubic altar
Soriano nel Cimino, Italy

Selva di Malano

Ancient, mysterious stone altars are hidden among wild woods in central Italy.
The great circular sanctuary.
Costești, Romania

Sarmizegetusa Regia

Once the legendary capital of the Dacian Kingdom, this city has been reduced to mere ruins.
Pula Arena
Pula, Croatia

Pula Arena

One of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters is still used today, but for less brutal events.